UFC Awards 2024

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - OCTOBER 26: Ilia Topuria of Spain reacts after a knockout victory against Max Holloway in the UFC featherweight championship fight during the UFC 308 event at Etihad Arena on October 26, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

1. Walkout of the Year: Dustin Poirier UFC 302

   This walkout was so special because it might’ve been the last dance for Dustin facing off against current Lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Dusin Poirier revealed the mashup of WIllie Spence’s cover of Rihanna’s “Diamonds” and “The Boss” by James Brown. This walkout had emotions running at an all time high from the Diamond and had everyone in the crowd growing goosebumps.

2. Rookie of the Year: Carlos Prates

   Carlos Prates has a very good case to make when you are talking about potential superstars in the fight business. Prates made his debut on the Dana White Contender Series last year and made his official debut against Trevin Giles this year. Which of course he knocked out. Oh and did I mention he has 10 consecutive Knockouts in a row. This dude is a serious problem and don’t be surprised once this dude becomes a title challenger in the future.

3. Submission of the Year: Islam Makhachev D’arce Choke vs. Dustin Poirier UFC 302

   This won submission of the year for me because of how this fight played out. Although Islam was up on the scorecards it was a very gritty and exciting fight to watch. Makhachev had found somebody to fight with nothing to lose in Poirier. After 4 rounds of an absolute war Islam dug deep in the 5th round and choked out Dustin Poirier in an all time great match.

4. K.O. of the Year: Max Holloway vs. Justin Gaethje UFC 300

   One of the greatest knockouts we will ever witness as long as we live we saw these two gladiators go for it all in the last 10 seconds. After Holloway did his iconic point down the two made an agreement and swung for the fences. Max Holloway delivered and gave us one of the greatest moments I’ve ever seen as a UFC fan.

5. Fight of the Year: Daniel Zellhuber vs. Esteban Ribovics UFC 306

   Two relatively unknown fighters on one of the biggest main cards of the year. What could be so great about this one? Turns out a whole lot can be great about this. An absolute war in the final two rounds as we saw both nearly get finished and especially in that 3rd round when Ribovics absolutely put on a show against Zellhuber. This fight was so unbelievably good it stole the whole show earning fight of the night and absolutely boosted the stock for Ribovics.

6. Event of the Year: UFC 300

   I genuinely don’t want to hear a different answer other than UFC 300 for this topic. The fact we were able to see 12 current/former champs on the same card is absolutely wild. From Max Holloway and Arman Tsarukyan having brilliant performances, to Alex Pereria and Jiri Prochazka’s spectacular knockouts, and even the wars we saw on that card was nothing short of amazing. I can guarantee you that it exceeded nearly everybody’s already high expectations for the card.

7. Fighter Of the Year: Ilia Topuria

   A very controversial choice for fighter of the year and yes I am aware of that. But the way I like to look at this is that quality matters much more than quantity. Knocking out the two of the greatest featherweights to ever fight inside the UFC in Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway holds just a bit more value than Alex Pereria’s three Knockouts over Prochazka, Hill, and Rountree to me.